Network-linked laser target firearm training system

ABSTRACT

A firearm training system includes a training firearm, which includes a laser transmitter module that emits a laser signal along a longitudinal centerline of the barrel of the firearm in response to a mechanical wave generated from pulling the trigger of the firearm. A laser-detecting target includes a planar array of laser light detectors capable of detecting the exact location that the laser signal hits the target. The laser signal transmitted by the training firearm is preferably a modulated laser pulse that the target can easily discriminate from noise and interference. The target is connected to a computer, which reports laser hit information and keeps track of a sequence of laser hits fired by a competitor or trainee. Computer can be linked via a communications network to similar firearm training systems to enable competition between shooters at different geographic locations.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/056,937, entitled “Instrumented Target forScaled Target Training”, filed Aug. 25, 1997. The disclosure of thatprovisional patent application is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a firearm training system employinglaser-emitting firearms and laser-detecting targets, and, moreparticularly, to a training firearm having a laser module that emitslaser pulses along a centerline of the barrel of the firearm toward alaser-detecting target which may be linked via a computer network tosimilar, remotely-located training systems.

2. Description of the Related Art

Shooting sports today include a variety of competitions including firinghandguns, rifles and other firearms at bull's eyes and other types oftargets. Measures of performance used to determine relative and absolutesuccess include accuracy, speed, shot grouping, range and a host ofcombinations of these and other criteria. A combination of skills,competitive talents, and firearm performance is required to enablesomeone to compete successfully in the shooting sports. The skillsinvolved include the integrated act of combining marksmanshipfundamentals, such as proper firing position, trigger management, securegrip and correct sight picture. Competitive talents associated with thevarious shooting sports include being able to shoot accurately on themove, being able to draw a handgun from a holster, and being able tocontrol breathing and movement so as to create a very stable platformfor achieving pinpoint accuracy on a target.

The history of shooting as a sport reaches as far back as the inventionof the first firearms. In excess of 10 million Americans regularlyparticipate in one of the forms of officially recognized shootingsports. Varieties of shooting sports are part of both the summer andwinter Olympics. Shooting is an internationally recognized competitiveendeavor with its own championships, sponsors, competitive programs andsanctioning agencies. It is also a vibrant and dynamic sport, with newevents and competitive options emerging frequently, e.g., cowboy actionshooting.

Unfortunately, shooting sports suffer from a number of limitations andconstraints that threaten the present and future vitality of thepastime. Foremost among these limitations are those associated with theshooting process itself. When a firearm is fired, some form ofprojectile is ejected from the firearm toward the target. Thisprojectile (e.g., a bullet, musket ball, shot, BB or pellet) has thecapability to injure or kill. The fact that the sport of shootingcurrently requires impact of a projectile with a target introduces asafety problem that limits the sport both physically and from an imagepoint of view, contributing to the controversy now surrounding theprivate ownership of firearms.

It is undeniable that the tragedies associated with firearms, as well asthe criminal acts committed with firearms, have harmed the image of thesport. In countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia,firearm-related tragedies have led to the banning of all privateownership. No distinction is made regarding firearms reserved forsporting purposes. In many countries, such as Japan, ownership ofprivate firearms has been illegal for some time.

The projectile fired by the firearm puts further constraints on thesport of shooting. Safety dictates that proper barriers and clearedareas be in place to prevent bystanders from being hit by direct fireand ricochets. This limits the ability of spectators to viewcompetition. Special ranges are needed in order to conduct shootingsports anywhere within populated areas. These ranges are expensive toconstruct in accordance with zoning restrictions and expensive toinsure. Moreover, competitions must be conducted at a common range(i.e., not at multiple, remote ranges) to ensure fair competition and toprevent the possibility of cheating.

Because spectators are restricted to watching shooting sport events froma safe distance behind the competitors, it is very difficult for theaudience to see how the competition is progressing at any given time. Inmany circumstances, all of the firing must cease before targets can beinspected and scored. The audience must wait for this process to learnhow their champion or team has fared. These constraints limit theaudience of the sport, reducing its attractiveness in this age ofcomputerized interactivity and immediacy to the participants themselves.

Equally problematic is the projectile, and specifically the lead bulletfired by most firearms. Lead is toxic, and the lead residue, includingdust and other fragments, contaminate ranges of both the indoor andoutdoor variety. Environmental protection laws are very strict in thisregard, forcing range operators both to install expensive air cleaningand handling systems and to remediate existing range facilities.

Thus, while the sport of shooting is popular, enjoys a long heritage,and does meet all of the criteria for both individual and teamcompetition, the very nature of the process of shooting is itselflimiting. The unfortunate linkage to criminal and tragic acts furtherlimits the potential of the sport and, in many cases, has directly ledto its restriction.

Further, there is an ongoing need to train law enforcement officers andsoldiers in the use of firearms, but using live ammunition at realisticranges requires space and material which can be difficult to provide.The normal course of instruction (COI) relies on the use of liveammunition, and is called “live fire training.” Live fire training isdangerous, requiring properly surveyed and sized ranges, barriers andimpact areas, and the use of lead bullets in live fire training is apollution hazard, with associated remediation expenses. The U.S.government presently is spending considerable sums to clean up leadpollution at live fire ranges across the country, and an alternative tolive fire training would be desirable from a remediation cost savingspoint of view alone.

Marksmanship training is intended to build and refine individual skills.However, in the case of most military units, conducting live firetraining is done collectively, in that all of the members of the unit goto the firing range together. Primarily, this is due to the fact thatlive ammunition is carefully controlled. Also, since live fire rangesare scarce resources, their use must be scheduled. This entailssignificant advance coordination and planning, especially for reservecomponent units such as the Army and Marine Reserves of the Air and ArmyNational Guard. These units meet monthly, on weekends typically, atcenters of armories without suitable range facilities. Units must betransported to and from suitable training ranges, which often are asignificant distance away, and supported with food and shelter while atthe range. Those experienced in such matters will recognize that theability to conduct suitable firearms training in the centers andarmories (“at home station”), on an individual basis when needed, couldprovide significant savings and increase training value.

For the training to be meaningful, a formal COI is imposed, such as thatnoted for the M16A1 and M16A2 rifle in U.S. Army field manual FM 23-9,and a test is required. This test assesses the trainee's ability to meetthe standards set forth in the COI, and is typically referred to as“qualification”. Passing the test means the trainee meets the standardsand is qualified to use the weapon.

The qualification test includes a requirement to engage and hit standardtargets of different sizes and having different shapes disposed atvarious ranges from the trainee. The actual distance to a target iscalled the range. Typically, rifle marksmanship skills are tested out toranges of 300 meters for modern military rifles, and 25 to 50 meters forhandguns. The longer ranges obviously impose significant acreagerequirements for live fire range facilities. Consequently, the armedforces have formulated scaled target alternate courses which usesilhouette targets sized to simulate different range-to-target distancesbased on fundamental mathematical formulas, thereby allowing the soldierto practice sight alignment skills on a sight picture of the appropriatesize for a simulated target at a given range.

These scaled target alternatives to actual distance ranges still requirethe use of live ammunition in a live fire range, with all the associatedsafety, pollution, and resource consumption implications noted above.Thus, while the use of scaled targets reduces the “real estate” requiredat the live fire range, it does not eliminate the need for, andassociated costs and penalties of using a live fire range.

Both the Air Force and Navy have equivalent scaled target qualificationprocedures. These scaled qualification targets are accepted alternativesfor testing the marksmanship skills of units that do not have access tofull scale ranges, or are otherwise authorized to use scaled targets,and are therefore known as “Alternative Course” targets. For example,the Army uses the target shown in FIG. 1 which is called the “25 MeterAlternate C Course Target”. The 25 meter descriptor denotes the range towhich all of the targets have been scaled, and is the distance at whichthe target is to be engaged by the trainee.

Ideally, the alternate course exercise is conducted with a weapon whichlooks, feels and operates in a manner as close as possible to an actualservice rifle (or pistol). Preferably, the simulated audible reportshooting experience includes an audible report and recoil.

These scaled targets suffer from many of the same problems associatedwith all live fire training. In particular, a bullet strike on thetarget cannot be differentiated from another strike on the same targetwithout some elaborate detection means at the firing line, a locationhit detection means at the target itself, or an individual targetinspection after each round fired. In all cases, the costs associatedwith such discrimination means are significant, with the result thatthey are rarely used. Training assessment accuracy suffers as a result.

For example, in the Army 25 Meter Alternate C Course of fire, thesoldier is required to fire in two sessions to qualify. The firstsession requires that the soldier fire 20 rounds, held in two 10 roundmagazines, from a prone position with the weapon supported on a sandbag.The soldier has 120 seconds to hit each of the 10 scaled targetsilhouettes on the target (FIG. 1) two times. Having the weaponsupported on the sandbag provides added stability to the weapon andenhances accuracy.

The second session requires that the soldier fire a second string of 20rounds from a prone position with the weapon unsupported. Unsupportedmeans that the soldier can use only his arms, with elbows resting on theground, to hold the weapon steady. The relative stability and accuracyof the unsupported firing position is reduced relative to that of thesupported firing position.

Typically, since the paper targets are cheap and save time, the two 25meter targets required for the qualification test are mountedside-by-side on a suitable backing in full view of the trainee. Thesoldier is instructed to fire on one of the targets first, and, afterthe 120 second period elapses and all 20 rounds are accounted for, thenthe second target. However, since the targets are the same, and sincethe smaller (greater scaled range) targets are harder to hit, soldiersfrequently engage all the small silhouettes on both targets during thesupported session. The larger silhouettes (the 50 meter and 100 meterranges) are left for the unsupported session.

More generally, since the shooting range is “hot” during the entireshooting exercise, it is not possible to closely inspect the target anddetermine the order in which a shooter has engaged each target and it isalso not possible to determine whether a shooter was aiming for a targetat the time an impact was observed on that target (i.e. thatsilhouette). Consequently, it is possible for an unskilled shooter toshoot the targets in random order and still obtain a qualifying score,since the silhouettes are clustered onto a single sheet for alternatecourse qualification exercises.

Since the scoring takes place after both firing sessions are complete(again to save time, since scoring the targets requires that everyonecease fire so that the instructors can go downrange and physicallyinspect the target), inaccurate assessments of the soldiers'marksmanship skills may result. It should come as no surprise thatsignificantly lower test results are frequently achieved when thesoldiers are retested on the actual distance ranges where the targetsare presented randomly across the field of view.

Thus, it can be seen that to take advantage of the scaled silhouettetarget concept, it is preferable for the target to be able todistinguish the location of each hit and the time sequence of the hits,and to communicate that information to the scorer/instructor in realtime. Preferably, the target would include a method for determining ifthe trainee is at the correct range so that training and testing couldbe accomplished autonomously.

To take full advantage of the scaled target concept, whilesimultaneously avoiding the safety, pollution and other negative issuesassociated with live fire, there is a need for a weapon simulator thatlooks, feels and operates as the actual weapon but does not fire a liveround, and provides the full psycho-kinetic experience to the trainee,including felt recoil, sound, and smell that the soldier would realizeon the live fire range. The simulator would have an alternative andtotally safe means for accurately hitting the target. Preferably, thesimulator would be untethered so as not to restrict the trainee'smovement, grip, or position while firing, and would also require thetrainee to reload, charge and clear the simulator in the same manner asthe actual weapon so that no part of the value of live fire training islost. It is desirable that both the simulator and the target supportqualification testing with the weapon's standard day sights as well aswith the latest developments in night vision and thermal detectionsystems so that the unit is not required to use a live fire range atall.

Another drawback to live ammunition is its use in the process of“zeroing” a sighted firearm. The process of correctly adjusting thesight mechanism of a firearm typically involves two steps. First, thesight mechanism of the firearm is aligned with the centerline of thebore in a process known as “boresighting.” Boresighting achieves acoarse alignment which generally allows the shooter to hit the targetwhen the sight is trained thereon, though the hit locations aretypically clustered at a point off center. This is because boresightingdoes not take into account the fact that each shooter has a unique“sight picture”, meaning that each shooter aligns his or her eye withthe sight slightly differently, as a function of his or her properfiring position, thereby seeing the location of the center of the targetsomewhat differently. Assuming the shooter can repeatably take up theproper firing position and fire a group of shots within a certaindiameter on the target, a fine adjustment (i.e., zeroing) of the sightmechanism can be achieved by determining the offset between the centerof mass of the hits in the shot group and the center of the target, andthen adjusting the sight mechanism accordingly. By repeating thisprocess a number of times, the offset between the center of the targetand the center of mass of the shot group can be minimized, such that thefirearm is “zeroed” for a particular shooter.

In order to determine the true offset accurately, it would beadvantageous to have many shots in the shot group for each iteration ofthe zeroing process. However, numerous shots consume ammunitionresources. Further, it is difficult to estimate (by eye) the center ofmass of more than three hit points. For these reasons, no more thanthree shots are typically fired for each shot group, with theconsequence that the accuracy of the estimate of the offset is limited,and more iterations of the zeroing process may be required (relative toiterations with larger shot groups). Consequently, it would beadvantageous to be able to use larger shot groups in the zeroing processwithout the attendant difficulties in measuring the center of mass andwithout increased usage of resources, in order to reduce the number ofiterations required to complete the zeroing process, thereby to savetime.

Various systems for training a shooter without requiring the firing oflive ammunition have been proposed, including systems incorporatingoptical and laser technology. The firing of blank cartridges fromfirearms give the shooter a sense of how the firearm will feel underlive fire conditions. Blank firing conversions for semiautomatic pistolsare the subject of U.S. Pat Nos. 5,140,893, 5,433,134 and 5,585,589(allto Edward J. Leiter), the entire disclosures of which are incorporatedherein by reference. However, because such systems do not fire aprojectile at a target, the shooter is not provided with any feedback asto whether the firearm was properly aimed on whether good follow throughwas maintained.

In addition, laser drivers have been used for transmitting a laser beamas a training aid in firearms, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,320,the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Inlaser-based systems, a laser transmitter is typically mounted to oneside of the firearm's muzzle, and projects a laser signal onto a targetto simulate firing of a projectile and a hit location. One problem withsuch systems is that the laser signal is not projected along thelongitudinal centerline of the barrel (as a projectile would be); thus,the projection angle of the laser must be slightly angled relative tothe longitudinal centerline axis of the barrel so that the laser signalhits the target in the same location that a projection fired from thebarrel would hit the target. This arrangement introduces a parallaxproblem, wherein the laser projection angle must be adjusted as afunction of the target range in order for the location of the lasersignal on the target to accurately reflect the location that aprojectile would hit the target.

To eliminate the parallax problem, it has been proposed to mount a lasertransmitter directly in the barrel of a firearm. In particular, BangCorporation has developed a cylindrically-shaped laser module whichslides into the muzzle of a pistol and is held in place by frictionalforce. When the firearm trigger is pulled, the laser module detectsresonance of the fall of the hammer and emits a visible laser signalwhich can be seen on a paper target or the like. However, because thelaser module rests within the barrel, the firearm cannot fire liveammunition or even a blank while the laser is in use, and the traineefeels only a “click” of the hammer upon pulling the trigger.Consequently, the in-barrel laser does not allow the trainee toexperience any recoil or firing effects whatsoever, and provides a poorsimulation of the psycho-kinetic experience associated with operatingthe firearm with live ammunition, with no audible report or recoil.Further, live ammunition can accidentally be loaded and fired while thelaser is within the barrel, presenting a potential safety hazard to thetrainee and others in the vicinity.

Moreover, many laser-emitting firearm training devices, including theBang Corporation's in-barrel laser, simply project a laser signal on apaper target or the like without any detection of the laser signal,thereby requiring simultaneous visual inspection of the target, andmaking these devices unsuitable for the aforementioned military trainingexercises involving a sequence of firings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to solve the aforementionedproblems while preserving as much of the essence of shooting sports aspossible, so that the experience is not diminished and theattractiveness of the sport can actually be expanded.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a trainingfirearm which closely simulates the experience of live firing, includingan audible report and recoil of the firearm, without firing aprojectile.

It is yet another object of the present invention to permit realisticfirearm training without the space and expense associated with a livefire range and the environmental and safety hazards associated with useof live ammunition.

It is a further object of the present invention to improve the abilityof spectators or trainers to view shooting competitions or trainingexercises.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to enable automaticscoring of each target hit, including a determination of the order oftarget hits.

Another object of the present invention is to more accurately assess atrainee's marksmanship skills on standardized targets.

Yet another object of the present invention is to make competition andtraining more practical by eliminating the need for a live fire rangeand by allowing competition or coordination of exercises betweenshooters at different locations.

A further object of the present invention is to ensure fair competitionand prevent cheating among people competing from multiple locations.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to improve the processof zeroing the sight mechanism of a firearm by automatically determininga center of mass of shots groups, which may be of any size, without useof live ammunition.

The aforesaid objects are achieved individually and in combination, andit is not intended that the present invention be construed as requiringtwo or more of the objects to be combined unless expressly required bythe claims attached hereto.

According to the present invention, a laser pulse is substituted for theprojectile of conventional firearms. Preferably, this laser is eye safe,as defined by appropriate ANSI and U.S. Food and Drug Agency standards.This one change lifts immediately the major constraints facing the sportof shooting, in that both the safety and the pollution issues raised bythe use of lead bullets are answered. Preferably, the laser transmitterfits directly into the barrel of the firearm and emits a laser pulsealong the longitudinal centerline of the barrel to avoid anyrange-dependent parallax problems.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the trainingfirearm is formed by replacing the conventional barrel of a firearm witha training barrel which preserves the look, feel and firing action ofthe conventional firearm. Specifically, the bore of the training barrelis completely blocked by a solid wall extending transversely through thebarrel and separating the bore of the barrel into a proximal firingchamber sized to chamber only a blank cartridge adapted for use with thetraining barrel, and a distal cavity which houses a laser transmittermodule. The laser transmitter module can be permanently mounted with thecavity or can be a cylindrically-shaped removable module which isthreadably or slidably insertable into the muzzle of the barrel. Thelaser transmitter module includes a mechanical wave sensor which sensesa mechanical wave from the discharge of the blank cartridge and triggersthe laser transmitter to emit a laser signal. The laser transmittermodule does not protrude significantly from the muzzle and thereforedoes not affect the holstering of the firearm. The training firearm usedin conjunction with the firearm training system of the present inventioncan also take the form of a firearm specifically designed to fire onlylaser signals or a conventional firearm fitted with a removable lasertransmitter module which is inserted into the muzzle of the barrel.

The firearm training system of the present invention further includes alaser-detecting target having a planar array of laser light detectorswhich detect the location and timing of laser pulses received at thetarget. Preferably, the laser pulses are modulated with a particularmodulation signal, and the laser light detectors are configured todetect the modulated laser pulses in order to mitigate the effects ofinterference. The laser light detectors can be arranged in any manner tosimulate any type of competitive or training target. In particular, thelaser light detectors can be arranged to simulate a military scaledtarget, such as the 25 Meter Alternate C Course Target.

The laser-detecting target is connected to a computer which analyzestarget hit information, keeps track of hits information and statistics,and displays feedback or scoring information. The target and computerprovide real time feedback on the location of each laser shot thusallowing a referee, trainer, or spectators to see how the shooter isperforming during the shooting exercise. Further, more accurateassessment of marksmanship skills is made possible, because the orderand timing of shots is recorded, and credit is given only for hitting anintended or specified target on a particular shot.

The computer can be connected via a communications network, such as theInternet, to similar systems, so that competitions or training exercisescan be conducted across multiple geographic locations. Such competitionsor exercises can be controlled from a central system or unit which maybe accessible to individual shooters via an Internet web site.

To permit unsupervised competition, the present invention includes meansfor preventing cheating among competitors at different locations.Specifically, an ultrasonic transmitter is incorporated into thetraining firearm and emits an ultrasonic signal at the same instant asthe laser pulse is transmitted by the laser transmitter. An ultrasonicdetector detects the arrival of the ultrasonic signal at the target, andthe target determines a time delay between the laser pulse and theultrasonic signal. This time delay is used to calculate the distancebetween the training firearm and the target, which distance is reportedto a referee or to other competitors, and prevents a competitor fromcheating by standing closer to the target than the specified range.

The firearm training system of the present invention also allowsclosed-loop zeroing of a sighted firearm. Specifically, the systemautomatically calculates the center of gravity (relative to a center ofthe target) of a group of three or more shots to enable accurateassessment of the required realignment of the sights. Because the systempermits shot groups containing more than the conventional three shots, amore accurate offset can be determined with each iteration of thezeroing process, thereby reducing the number of required iterations.

The above and still further objects, features and advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description of a specific embodiment thereof,particularly when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingswherein like reference numerals in the various figures are utilized todesignate like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a representation of the U.S. Army's 25 Meter Alternate CourseC Target.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a firearm training barrel in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the firearm trainingsystem of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an embodiment of the firearm training system ofthe present invention employing a laser-detecting target configured toreplicate the U.S. ARMY'S 25 Meter Alternate Course C Target.

FIG. 5 illustrates the interconnection of the target shown in FIG. 4with the computer of the firearm training system.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the training barrel of thepresent invention in which an ultrasound transmitter is incorporatedinto the training barrel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The firearm training system of the present invention includes a trainingfirearm which emits a laser pulse when fired under conditions closelysimulating the firing of a projectile, a target adapted to detect laserpulses, and a computer system which determines and stores informationrelating to laser pulse detections, which system may be linked via anetwork to similar, remotely-located training systems.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a training barrel 10 for atraining firearm in accordance with one aspect of the firearm trainingsystem of the present invention. Training barrel 10 can be a drop-inreplacement barrel for a pistol having a removable barrel. Similarly,the training barrel of the present invention, together with an upperreceiver, can serve as a drop-in replacement barrel and upper receiverfor a rifle.

As illustrated in partial cross-section in the diagram of FIG. 2, adrop-in replacement barrel 10 for a pistol (or rifle) includes abarrel-shaped (i.e., having the shape of a typical firearm barrel) mainbody 12 defining a substantially cylindrical bore along a longitudinalcenterline of main body 12 with openings at the proximal and distalends. Body 12 is made from stainless steel or another conventionalmaterial. The bore of barrel 10 is completely blocked by a solid steelsection or wall 14 extending transversely through main body 12 andseparating the bore of the barrel into a first substantially cylindricalcavity 16 extending from the proximal end to wall 14 and a secondsubstantially cylindrical cavity 18 extending from the distal end towall 14.

The first cavity 16 extending inward from the proximal end of the barrel10 serves as a firing chamber and is sized to accommodate a speciallyadapted blank cartridge 20. By correctly sizing the powder charge in theblank cartridge 20 at approximately ¼ the normal powder charge, there isno adverse affect upon the weapon's original live-fire performance andso basic weapon familiarization and training are readily accomplished.Since the bore of the training barrel is occluded, there is no forwarddischarge whatsoever from the muzzle (i.e., the distal end), and thefirearm may be fired at point blank range without creating a hazardouscondition. The chamber formed by cavity 16 of barrel 10 is sufficientlyshort so as not to allow a live round to be chambered, and the headspace of cavity 16 is sized so as not to allow a normal blank round tobe chambered. In the preferred embodiment, training barrel 10 has aresidual discharge only from the ejection port of the weapon.Preferably, barrels are color coded at the ejection port and the muzzlefor immediate identification as blank fire units and are marked with theappropriate model and caliber designation as well as with the propertraining blank loading. That color coding is matched by color coding onthe specially adapted blank ammunition in order to prevent a dangerousmismatch of ammunition to the training barrel. Preferably, blankcartridge 20 is all brass, includes no wad, and uses non-corrosiveprimer and powder materials.

The second cavity 18 extending inward from the distal end of the barrel10 is adapted to hold a laser transmitter module 22. In accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the laser transmittermodule 22 is a cylindrically-shaped removable module having a threadedouter surface. As shown in FIG. 2, the interior surface of body 12forming the wall of cavity 18 is threaded to receive the outer threadedsurface of cylindrical module 22, such that module 22 can be threadablyinserted or screwed into cavity 18. Alternatively, the laser transmittermodule can slide into cavity 18 and can be held in place by frictionalforce or longitudinal grooves.

Laser transmitter module 22 includes a power source comprising first andsecond button batteries 24 and 26, a mechanical wave sensor 28 and anoptics package 30 for projecting a laser beam distally through lens 32toward a target. The laser beam is triggered in response to a mechanicalwave sensed from the discharge of a blank. As used herein, the term“mechanical wave” or “shock wave” means an impulse traveling through thebarrel structure. When the trigger of the firearm is pulled, the blankcartridge is fired (explodes), and creates a mechanical wave whichtravels distally down the training barrel toward laser transmittermodule 22. Mechanical wave sensor 28, which may include a piezoelectricelement, an accelerometer or a solid state sensor such as a straingauge, senses the mechanical wave from the discharge of blank cartridge20 and generates a trigger signal. Optics package 30 responds to thetrigger signal generated by mechanical wave sensor 28 by generating andprojecting a laser beam toward the target. The shock wave travels fasterin the barrel than a fired bullet would travel; however, the delayassociated with the shock wave reaching mechanical wave sensor 28 andthe time required to activate optics package 30 and illuminate thetarget is approximately equal to the bullet travel time in a live fireexercise.

Preferably, optics package 30 includes a class I laser (of either 630 or670 nanometer wavelength) and is ruggedized to maintain the aim pointover many simulated rounds of fire. Optics package 30 and/or lens 32 canbe adjusted to eliminate any azimuth or elevation angular offset betweenthe direction that the laser pulses are projected and the longitudinalcenterline of the bore of the barrel. For example, the laser transmittermodule 22 with optics package 30 can be threadably inserted into thebore from the muzzle, as shown in FIG. 2, and then can be adjusted forazimuth and elevation at the factory or by the user.

The laser signal emitted by the laser transmitter module of the presentinvention is a laser pulse. To account for the effect of recoil onbarrel orientation, the pulse width of the transmitted pulse is set toapproximately ten milliseconds thus allowing the system to measure anindividual shooter's ability to “follow through” after the shot. Forlarge ranges from the target, the effect of recoil and poor followthrough can cause a target to be missed.

The laser signal is preferably modulated. By way of non-limitingexample, a 40 kilohertz amplitude modulation can be applied to the laserpulse. The signal processing circuitry used in conjunction with thetarget of the present invention (described hereinbelow) is adjusted todetect a laser signal modulated with a 40 kilohertz signal and isthereby provided with further protection against false hits which may becaused by spurious emissions of light in the presence of the detectorson the target.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited toremovable laser transmitter modules; the laser transmitter module can bepermanently attached and mounted within cavity 18 or fully integratedwith body 12, with an opening to replace the battery power source and,optionally, controls to adjust the laser transmission direction.

An important aspect of the present invention is that the transmitterlaser module does not alter the holstering of the firearm (in the casewhere the firearm is a holstered weapon, e.g., a semi-automatic pistol).The laser transmitter module 22 barely protrudes from the distal end ofbody 12 when threadably or slidably inserted into the muzzle of barrel10. This is an important consideration, since many law enforcementofficers are required to enter a potentially dangerous crime scene withthe gun holstered, thereby demonstrating no prior intent to shoot, andtraining exercises which would employ the training barrel of the presentinvention would therefore involve holstering. Preferably, the lasermodule protrudes from the distal end of body 12 (i.e., the muzzle) byless than 1 cm and more preferably no more than a few millimeters. Wherethe laser transmitter module is permanently mounted within the bore ofthe training barrel, the laser transmitter module need not protrude atall from the muzzle.

As will be understood from the foregoing, the training barrel of thepresent invention permits the firing of a blank cartridge in conjunctionwith emission of a laser pulse along the centerline of the bore of thebarrel in order to create a realistic simulation of a live fireconditions, including the felt recoil and the firing sound. Since liveammunition cannot be chambered in the training barrel and no materialcan be discharged through the muzzle, the training barrel presents nosafety hazard.

The training barrel 10 permits blank fire without discharge from themuzzle at the barrel distal end and permits repetitive fire withreliable cycling of a gas-operated (compressed air or CO₂)semi-automatic weapon. Preferably, the training barrel requires nopermanent alteration of a service rifle or semi-automatic pistol andrequires no replacement of any parts (other than the barrel or upperreceiver) such as the recoil spring or magazine. With the blank firetraining barrels of the present invention, a soldier can install orremove the drop-in barrel by field stripping methods and can then alterthe service weapon into a training weapon having the original appearanceand holstering capability (for pistols) of the service weapon.

Although the training barrel described above replaces a conventionbarrel of a firearm to convert a conventional firearm into a trainingfirearm, the training barrel of the present invention need not replaceanother barrel or even be removable. In accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned training barrelcan be part of a training firearm designed specifically for use as atraining firearm.

The firearm training system of the present invention includes alaser-emitting training firearm, such as that described above, as wellas a laser-detecting target and a computer system which processesdetection information. An exemplary embodiment of the firearm trainingsystem of the present invention, including a training firearm 40, alaser detecting target 42, a computer 44, and a printer 46 (optional),is shown in FIG. 3.

Training firearm 40 can take the form of a conventional firearm fittedwith the above-described replacement training barrel. Alternatively,training firearm 40 can be a conventional firearm having a cylindricallaser transmitter module inserted into the muzzle of the barrel. In thisembodiment, firearm 40 is not loaded with live ammunition or a blankwhen using the laser transmitter. The laser transmitter is activated bythe fall of the hammer or the striker, sending a mild shock wave downthe barrel of the firearm and activating the laser transmitter.Preferably, the transmitter is very lightweight, so as not to alter theperceived balance and feel of the firearm.

In accordance with another embodiment, training firearm 40 can be alaser-emitting firearm that is incapable of firing a projectile and thatis designed for use only in training. Training firearm 40 cannotresemble actual firearms, to meet the aesthetic, competitive, commercialor functional needs of the user. According to this embodiment, the laseroptics can be permanently integrated into the barrel of the firearm.Because the firearm is not able to fire a live round under anycircumstance, it does not require licensing and control by theappropriate authorities such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco andFirearms (BATF) in the U.S.

Importantly, whether the training firearm is a training-only device, aconventional firearm with a laser module inserted in the barrel, or aconventional firearm fitted with a training barrel, the lasertransmitter of the training firearm 40 of the present invention ispreferably concentric to the bore of the barrel. This eliminates theproblem of parallax associated with laser aiming and boresightingdevices that are appended outside and alongside the barrel. The accuracyof such externally mounted lasers is highly range sensitive and requiresconstant realignment, making proper operation of such lasers difficultto understand and inconvenient to use.

Target 42 is responsive to the laser pulses emitted by training firearm40 and provides appropriate feedback to the shooter via computer 44 orprinter 46. As shown in FIG. 3, by way of non-limiting example, target42 may take the form of a circular bull's eye, with a visible surfacehaving circular lines drawn at regular radial intervals and horizontaland vertical lines which divide the target into quadrants. A pluralityof laser light detectors or sensors are arrayed across the surface oftarget to detect the arrival of laser pulses emitted from trainingfirearm 40. The arrangement of the laser light detectors is such thatthe location of a laser hit anywhere on the face of the target can bedetermined from the laser detection signals generated by one or acombination of the laser light detectors in the array.

Preferably, the laser light detectors are not sensitive to light energycoming from other sources, including those found in a home or indoorenvironment and sunlight. In particular, external light sources such asfluorescent lighting systems, infrared security systems, and otherelectro-optical emissions are filtered out so that the laser lightdetectors do not report erroneous hits or become desensitized byelectromagnetic interference. To prevent such interference fromimpacting laser pulse detection, the laser light detectors andassociated signal processing circuitry are preferably adapted todiscriminate laser pulses that are encoded or modulated in a particularmanner by the laser transmitter of training firearm 40. For example, thelaser pulses can be amplitude modulated with a 40 Hz signal in themanner described above, and the laser light detectors can include signalprocessing for isolating the modulated laser pulses from other signalsand interference. Other modulation or pulse encoding schemes may beused, and the laser light detectors may employ any variety orcombination of techniques for distinguishing an electromagnetic signalfrom noise and interference, including, but not limited to matchedfiltering and range/time gating.

Optionally, individual firearms can emit uniquely modulated or encodedlaser pulses which are distinguishable to the laser light detectors, toallow the firearm training system to identify the individual source ofeach laser pulse detected. This feature is useful when more than oneshooter may be simultaneously or sequentially engaging a target or a setof targets.

Each of the laser light detectors provides an electrical detectionsignal to a corresponding line driver, and the signal is transmittedover a shielded cable or a short-distance wireless link (e.g., radiofrequency or infrared) to a portable (laptop) or desktop computer 44.Power can be supplied to target 42 via a cord from a conventional ACpower source, or target 42 can be battery powered. Computer 44 runssoftware which analyzes the electrical detection signals and providesfeedback information about laser detections to the shooter, scorer ortrainer via a display and/or printer. More specifically, the computerprocesses the electrical detection signals and provides the X-Ycoordinates of the hit in the plane of the target face, the time of thehit, and the validation that the laser pulse was from a suitable laser.Further, the computer can keep track of a sequence of shots, anddetermine information such as the time between hits, mathematicalanalysis of the grouping information from multiple hits on a target, andthe possible cause of shooting errors based on the interpretation of thevariance between the point of aim and the point of impact, and reportscoring or qualifying information for a shooter engaging the target in acompetition or training exercise.

It will be understood from the foregoing that signal processing ofdetected laser pulses and data processing of the electronic detectionsignals are performed by a combination of target 42 and computer 44 inorder to provide feedback information to the shooter. However, theperformance of the signal and data processing required to produce outputinformation is not limited to any particular allocation between target42 and computer 44. Thus, for example, target 42 can send relatively“raw” detection information to computer 44, with computer 44 performingsignificant signal processing. Conversely, target 44 can include onboardmicroprocessor and memory capabilities, such that the target simplyreports the aforementioned feedback information to computer 4 fordisplay, printing or transmission.

While the target shown in FIG. 3 is in the form of a single bull's eye,the shapes and sizes of the targets of the present invention are notlimited and can be configured to meet all of the currently sanctionedshooting competition requirements. Furthermore, multiple targets at onerange or location can be connected to a single computer for processingof laser hits of one or more shooters on the targets.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thefirearm training system of the present invention includes a set oftargets adapted for use in military qualification exercises. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, a plurality of laser light detectors or sensorsis arrayed in a pattern to form a laser-detecting target 52corresponding to the U.S. Army's 25 Meter Scale Target Alternate CCourse qualification target (FIG. 1), where one detector is sized andpositioned for the 300 meter silhouette, one detector is sized orpositioned for the 250 meter silhouette, two detectors are sized andpositioned for the 200 meter silhouettes, two detectors are sized andpositioned for 150 meter silhouettes, three detectors are sized andpositioned for 100 meter silhouettes, and one detector is sized andpositioned for the 50 meter (largest) silhouette. Optionally, two orthree detectors may be sized and positioned for the 50 meter silhouette.A training firearm 50, which is similar in size, shape and feel to theactual service firearm used with the live fire scaled target, emitslaser pulses along the longitudinal centerline of the barrel toward thetarget in the manner described above.

As shown in FIG. 5, each laser light detector of the scaled targetprovides an electrical detection signal to a corresponding line driver,and the signal is transmitted over a shielded cable to computer 44 via apower supply and local interface. Computer 44 is programmed withsoftware adapted to score the sequence of laser hits in accordance withqualification requirements and produces a standard format scoring record(e.g., a printed form). The laser detection system advantageously allowseach laser hit to be individually scored as it is fired by the shooter.In this case, the two 120 second segments of the exercise can beconducted while the range is hot and each shot can be scored, therebyavoiding the confusion associated with allowing the shooter to fire bothten round clips into the target before attempting to score the target,as discussed above. Unlike conventional scaled target qualification withlive fire, because the timing and location of each shot is determined bythe system, the trainee does not receive credit for hitting one targetwhen attempting to hit another, and the trainee cannot “cheat” by firingat the long range targets primarily during the supported session and atthe short range targets primarily during the unsupported session.

The laser-detecting targets of the firearm training system of thepresent invention can also be pop up or active targets at conventionalranges (e.g., three hundred meters or more). A wireless communicationlink is preferably used to transmit information from the active targetof the present invention to a scoring computer for shot-by-shotreporting of the qualification exercise results. The informationprovided by the sensors detecting the laser pulse can also be used toactivate a host of devices, such as flash bang generators, targetturning and lifting mechanisms, and even animated or computerizedresults (e.g., explosions, bullet holes, etc.).

Computer 44 is capable of receiving, processing and displaying hitinformation in real time, such that a scorer, instructor or spectatormay view the progress of a shooting competition or training exercisewhile in progress. For shooting competitions, the display can beprovided at the shooter's location, for the immediate viewing audience,and simultaneously, at multiple locations worldwide. Optionally, thefirearm system of the present invention includes a standard printer 46(FIG. 3) for printing out shooting details including diagnosis ofproblems and suggested training solutions for correcting a shooter'stechnique.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the firearmtraining system includes a linked network of laser-detecting targets andcomputers located at a single site or at multiple sites. Each target canbe connected to a corresponding computer which is in turn linked to acentral computer acting as a server. Alternatively, the server canreceive the information from multiple targets and process each in turnthrough efficient software processing. The system includes theelectronic linkage required to interconnect the target/computer networkat one location with a similar network at one or more geographicallyseparate locations. A candidate for such a link is the Internet, anoperational, global, and readily accessible real time digitalinformation exchange. Alternatively, a dedicated network using optical,wire and/or satellite communication links can be employed.

All of the information captured from the laser hit on target can bereduced to a digital format. Consequently, using the proposed invention,it is possible for a shooting sport competitor in one location to fireat a target and have the result, both in terms of location on target andthe resulting score/effect, displayed immediately at multiple locationsworldwide. The ability to electronically link multiple firing points, orcompetition sites, facilitates global shooting sports competitionswithout the associated costs of travel. Organizations such a shootingclubs, college teams, and commercially sponsored teams can competeagainst one another whenever they desired, regardless of time/distanceconstraints.

The cost of maintaining a suitable live fire range at or near the campushas caused many colleges to eliminate their shooting sports program. Thepresent invention eliminates the need for such a range. In addition, thecost of traveling to other schools or competition sites, a significantexpense and application of time, would be eliminated, would reinvigorateshooting sports at the college level.

More generally, in accordance with the present invention, a facility canhave several computer/target “firing points”. This enables teams tocompete against each other without having to travel to distantlocations. A number of computer/target “firing points” at one locationcan be linked into a local area network (LAN) and that LAN can in turnbe linked to one or more LANs some distance away. The Internet or othernetwork serves as a wide area network (WAN) for the purpose ofmulti-team competitions.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, anInternet web site serves as a competition control unit. Potentialcompetitors “log on” to the Internet using standard protocols andprocedures, and access the electronic shooting sports web site in aconventional manner. The procedures for accessing a web site are wellknown and need not be described here. Once at the electronic shootingsports web site, the potential competitor identifies himself or herselfto the site with pertinent information such as name, social securitynumber, or some membership ID information. This enables the control unitto access the competitor's prior competition history and storeinformation from the present session. The system automatically “shakehands” with the competitor's computer, and thereby with the target toensure that the proper equipment is in place and operational.

In order to minimize the amount of data required to flow back and forthover the Internet (e.g., X-Y hit locations, hit timing, shot number,etc.), the event for competition can be selected from a menu of optionsavailable at the competitor's location, and control of the event at thecompetitor's site (e.g., presentation of pop-up or moving targets) canbe controlled from the competitor's local computer rather than fromcommands sent from the competition control unit over the Internet. Asthe throughput capacity of modems and linked networks such as theInternet expands, the opportunity to send real time video scenarios,including moving targets (i.e., skeet, trap, pop up), and animatedtarget reactions (fall down, explode, shoot back), from the web site tothe competitor will expand.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, thefirearm training system of the present invention can presentvideo/graphic target scenarios on a wall or screen via connection to oneor more digital video projection systems. Examples of such projectionsystems include products by Sony, Proximal, and Panasonic. The impactpoint of the laser fired at such a projection can be determined withsome accuracy by hit detection cameras properly calibrated to see theprojected target area. The process by which such hit detection camerasoperate is known. Such hit detection cameras see the laser hit on targetgenerated by the transmitter described above.

Since these video projection systems tend to be expensive, it is mostlikely that the use of such moving target shooting sports events will beconducted at local competition sites. Since there is no hazardwhatsoever in the process or equipment used to conduct electronicshooting sports, these competition sites may be established atconvenient locations such as recreation centers, shopping malls, bowlingalleys, and sports clubs. Traditional shooting ranges and clubs may alsoinstall them. Because the equipment is portable and easy to set up,competition sites may be set up as part of temporary events such asstate fairs, special championships at sports halls and auditoriums, andthe like.

The capability to coordinate competitive shooting events or trainingexercises simultaneously conducted at multiple sites introduces uniqueproblems and issues. In particular, it becomes possible for a competitoror trainee at one site to gain an unfair advantage over othercompetitors by shortening the range to the target, supporting thetraining firearm in an unauthorized manner (e.g., fixing or mounting thefirearm in a vice), or using a more accurate firearm than othercompetitors or trainees. The opportunity for cheating in such a manneris, of course, increased in circumstances where the competitor ortrainee is not directly observed by officiating or supervisorypersonnel. To minimize the potential for cheating, the firearm trainingsystem of the present invention employs means that allow competitors atone location to be reasonably certain of the accuracy and fairness ofthe results achieved at any other location without requiring thepresence of some neutral observer or referee at each competition site.The inclusion of such a cheating prevention methodology in the inventionexpands the scope of the potential use to individual homes, millions ofwhich are already linked to the Internet.

In accordance with one technique for preventing cheating, an ultrasonictransmitter is incorporated in the training firearm of the presentinvention and transmits an ultrasonic acoustic signal at the instant thelaser fires, thereby providing an acoustical signal traveling at a knownspeed (i.e., the speed of sound). The target includes an ultrasonicreceiver adapted to detect the ultrasonic pulse transmitted from thetraining firearm. Since the laser pulse travels at the speed of lightand the ultrasonic signal travels at the speed of sound, a measurabledelay exists between the arrival time of the laser signal at the targetand the arrival time of the ultrasonic signal at the target. An accurateestimate of the distance to between the firearm and the target can becalculated by multiplying the time delay between the laser andultrasonic pulses by the speed of sound (this estimate ignores thetravel time of the laser pulse to the target, which is less than 1microsecond). This range calculation can be performed by the targetreceiver electronics or by the computer. This range calculation, whichis reported via the network to a controlling unit, indicates whether thecompetitor is too close (or too far) from the target, thereby defeatingany attempt at cheating in a competition or qualification exercise (byshooting from an easier and shorter distance from the target). Thisallows competition and qualification exercises to be conducted in acompletely automated fashion, thereby avoiding requirements foradditional personnel to observe and score the exercise in person. Theultrasonic anti-cheating feature is well suited to simultaneoushead-to-head competition over communications networks, such as theInternet, in which competitors in different geographic locations cancompete simultaneously and in large groups.

Referring to FIG. 6, the training barrel shown in FIG. 2 can be modifiedto incorporate an ultrasonic transmitter 34. Optics package 30 and lens32, which are concentric with the longitudinal centerline of the barrel,are sized to permit ultrasonic transmitter 34 to be positioned along theperiphery of the optics package within barrel 10. In response todetection of a fired blank, mechanical wave sensor 22 triggers both thelaser transmitter and the laser emitting optics package 30 torespectively emit a laser and an ultrasonic pulse at the same time.Unlike a laser pulse, the ultrasonic wavefront widens with distance;thus, the ultrasonic pulse is detectable across the entire target.Consequently, while the ultrasonic transmitter is required to transmitultrasonic pulses toward the target, it is not necessary for theultrasonic transmitter to be concentrically arranged in the bore of thebarrel or for the direction of the ultrasonic pulse to be preciselyaligned. In fact, the ultrasonic transmitter need not be positionedwithin the barrel of the training firearm. Of course, the use of anultrasonic transmitter is not limited to the training barrel embodimentof the invention, and can also be used with the aforementionedlaser-only training firearm or a slide-in laser module in conjunctionwith the target of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, an ultrasonic detector 34 can be located on thetarget adjacent the laser light detectors so as not to interfere withdetection of the laser pulse. Similarly, an ultrasonic detector 48 canbe positioned between targets on the 25 Meter Alternate C Course targetshown in FIG. 4. While the ultrasonic detector is preferably in the sameplane and as close as possible to the laser light detectors, the preciselocation of the ultrasonic detector is not critical due to therelatively wide beamwidth of the ultrasonic pulse and due to the factthe ultrasonic pulse is used only to measure time/distance (and not X-Yposition).

Another technique for preventing cheating in accordance with the presentinvention involves including encrypted information in the laser pulse toconfirm to the target that the training firearm laser transmitter being“fired” is indeed authorized for the competition. Serial numberregistration, such as that in common use with electronic equipment, canbe encoded in the laser pulse to help ensure that the competitorshooting is in fact the person registered for the event. Suchregistration information could be combined with novel developments inthe field of fingerprint ID firearm trigger locks to further controlsurrogate competitors.

Further, the local computer or network system can include provisions forpreventing cheating. For example, the computer can display instructionsfor each competitor to fire at a particular corner of the target in arandom sequence determined by the computer or at secondary targetsplaced at the periphery of the primary target. Each competitor isrequired to aim and fire at the target in accordance with instructionsunknown in advance. Since hitting the points in sequence requires somedegree of rapid change in the point of aim, the competitor is precludedfrom locking the firearm down in a vice or rack to eliminate errors.Such an aim point check could be introduced at any time in thecompetition, and such a check can be implemented over a networkedsystem.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the networkalso includes the ability to recognize artificial results, such as anunnaturally accurate series of hits achieved by placing the trainingfirearm in a vice or other mechanical support during the competition.Other measures for preventing cheating may be incorporated into thesystem, including, but not limited to, statistical sampling routines,records of a competitor's prior performance, and historical records ofthe best performance in a given event.

The firearm training system of the present invention is also useful forclosed-loop zeroing of sighted firearms. The training firearm with thelaser is mounted on a highaccuracy mandrel, is aimed at the target, andan initial estimation is made of a point of impact for a range oftwenty-five meters or longer (i.e., the aforementioned “boresighting”process). The shooter then fires a group of simulated shots. Assumingthe shot group meets the criteria for zeroing (e.g., the hit points fallwith a 4 cm diameter circle), the computer determines the center of massof the shot group of detected laser pulses and reports the center ofmass information to the shooter (e.g., displayed on the computer screenor printed). The sights are then adjusted to compensate for theestimated offset between the aim point and the calculated center ofmass. Next, another simulated shot group is fired and center of mass isagain compared to the aim point in an iterative process which isrepeated until the aim point is at the center of the target and withinan acceptable offset, at which point the sights are deemed zeroed.

In accordance with the present invention, the use of laser pulses ratherthan projectiles in the zeroing process advantageously conservesresources. Moreover, because the center of mass calculation is performedby the computer, it is not necessary to limit the size of the shot groupto three, as is required with live fire in order to accurately estimatethe center of mass (and to conserve resources). Larger shot groupsprovide a better estimate of the offset of the sights than a three-shotgroup, which may reduce the number of zeroing iterations required toacceptably zero the firearm.

Having described preferred embodiments of a new laser-based firearmtraining system, it is believed that other modifications, variations andchanges will be suggested to those skilled in the art in view of theteachings set forth herein. It is therefore to be understood that allsuch variations, modifications and changes are believed to fall withinthe scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A detachable training barrel that replaces aconventional detachable barrel of a firearm to convert the firearm intoa training device that emits a laser signal upon firing a blankcartridge, the training barrel comprising: a barrel-shaped memberdefining a substantially cylindrical bore of the training barrel, with aproximal end and a distal end; a solid wall extending transverselyacross the bore of the training barrel and separating the bore into afirst substantially cylindrical cavity extending inward from theproximal end and a second substantially cylindrical cavity extendinginward from the distal end, said first cavity serving as a firingchamber and being adapted to receive the blank cartridge, said wallpreventing forward discharge toward the distal end upon firing of theblank cartridge; and a removable laser module extending into said secondcavity, said laser module emitting the laser signal in response to amechanical wave sensed from the firing of the blank cartridge in saidfirst cavity.
 2. The training barrel of claim 1, wherein said removablelaser module is substantially cylindrical and is concentric with saidbarrel-shaped member, such that said removable laser module emits thelaser signal along a longitudinal centerline of the training barrel. 3.The training barrel of claim 1, wherein replacement of the conventionalbarrel with the training barrel, inclusive of said removable lasermodule, does not substantially affect holstering of the firearm.
 4. Thetraining barrel of claim 1, wherein said removable laser module liessubstantially within said second cavity and protrudes from the distalend of said barrelshaped member by no more than 1 cm in a longitudinaldirection.
 5. The training barrel of claim 1, wherein said removablelaser module has a threaded outer surface and said second cavity has athreaded interior surface adapted to receive the threaded outer surfaceof said removable laser module.
 6. The training barrel of claim 1,wherein said removable laser module does not protrude from the distalend of said barrel-shaped member.
 7. The training barrel of claim 1,wherein the training barrel replaces a barrel of a pistol.
 8. Thetraining barrel of claim 1, wherein the training barrel is coupled withan upper receiver, said training barrel and said upper receiverreplacing a barrel and upper receiver of a rifle.
 9. The training barrelof claim 1, wherein said first cavity is sized to prevent chambering ofa conventional blank cartridge or of a live round.
 10. The trainingbarrel of claim 1, wherein the training barrel and the blank cartridgeare color coded to prevent mismatching of cartridges with said trainingbarrel.
 11. The training barrel of claim 1, further comprising: anultrasonic transmitter adapted to emit an ultrasonic acoustic signalsimultaneously with the laser signal.
 12. The training barrel of claim1, wherein: in an operational mode, said removable laser module emits alaser pulse in response to the mechanical wave sensed from the firing ofthe blank cartridge in said first cavity; and in a boresighting mode,said removable laser module emits a continuous laser beam to permit adirection of emission of said removable laser module to be boresightedwith a longitudinal centerline of the firearm.
 13. The training barrelof claim 1, wherein the laser signal is a modulated laser pulse, andwherein said training barrel corresponds to a target adapted to detectthe modulated laser pulse.
 14. The training barrel of claim 1, whereinthe firearm fires the blank cartridge using one of: powder, compressedair, and carbon dioxide.
 15. The training barrel of claim 1, whereinsaid removable laser module is held in said second cavity by frictionalforce between an outer surface of said removable laser module and aninterior surface of said second cavity.
 16. A detachable training barrelthat replaces a conventional detachable barrel of a firearm to convertthe firearm into a training device that emits a laser signal upon firinga blank cartridge, the training barrel comprising: a barrel-shapedmember defining a substantially cylindrical bore of the training barrel,with a proximal end and a distal end; a solid wall extendingtransversely across the bore of the training barrel and separating thebore into a first substantially cylindrical cavity extending inward fromthe proximal end and a second substantially cylindrical cavity extendinginward from the distal end, said first cavity serving as a firingchamber and being adapted to receive the blank cartridge, said wallpreventing forward discharge toward the distal end upon firing of theblank cartridge; and a laser module extending into said second cavityand comprising: a substantially cylindrical housing insertable into saidsecond cavity; a mechanical wave sensor disposed within said housing andadapted to produce a trigger signal in response to a mechanical waveproduced by firing the blank cartridge in said first cavity; a lasertransmitter adapted to emit the laser signal in response to the triggersignal; and a power source supplying power to said mechanical wavesensor and said laser transmitter.
 17. The training barrel of claim 16,wherein said laser module is substantially cylindrical and is concentricwith said barrel-shaped member, such that said laser module emits thelaser signal along a longitudinal centerline of the training barrel. 18.The training barrel of claim 16, wherein replacement of the conventionalbarrel with the training barrel, inclusive of said laser module, doesnot substantially affect holstering of the firearm.
 19. The trainingbarrel of claim 16, wherein said laser module lies substantially withinsaid second cavity and protrudes from the distal end of saidbarrel-shaped member by no more than 1 cm in a longitudinal direction.20. The training barrel of claim 16, wherein said laser module isremovable from said second cavity.
 21. The training barrel of claim 20,wherein said laser module has a threaded outer surface and said secondcavity has a threaded interior surface adapted to receive the threadedouter surface of said laser module.
 22. The training barrel of claim 16,wherein said laser module in permanently mounted within said secondcavity.
 23. The training barrel of claim 22, wherein said laser moduledoes not protrude from the distal end of said barrel-shaped member. 24.The training barrel of claim 16, wherein the training barrel replaces abarrel of a pistol.
 25. The training barrel of claim 16, wherein thetraining barrel is coupled with an upper receiver, said training barreland said upper receiver replacing a barrel and upper receiver of arifle.
 26. The training barrel of claim 16, wherein: said mechanicalwave sensor includes at least one of: a piezoelectric element, anaccelerometer, and a strain gauge; said laser transmitter includes alens and an optics package that projects the laser signal distallythrough the lens; and said power source comprises a button-shapedbattery.
 27. The training barrel of claim 16, wherein said first cavityis sized to prevent chambering of a conventional blank cartridge or of alive round.
 28. The training barrel of claim 16, wherein the trainingbarrel and the blank cartridge are color coded to prevent mismatching ofcartridges with said training barrel.
 29. The training barrel of claim16, further comprising: an ultrasonic transmitter adapted to emit anultrasonic acoustic signal simultaneously with the laser signal.
 30. Thetraining barrel of claim 16, wherein: in an operational mode, said lasermodule emits a laser pulse in response to the mechanical wave sensedfrom the firing of the blank cartridge in said first cavity; and in aboresighting mode, said laser module emits a continuous laser beam topermit a direction of emission of the laser module to be boresightedwith a longitudinal centerline of the firearm.
 31. The training barrelof claim 16, wherein the laser signal is a modulated laser pulse, andwherein said training barrel corresponds to a target adapted to detectthe modulated laser pulse.
 32. The training barrel of claim 16, whereinthe firearm fires the blank cartridge using one of: powder, compressedair, and carbon dioxide.
 33. A detachable training barrel that replacesa conventional detachable barrel of a firearm to convert the firearminto a training device that emits a laser signal upon firing a blankcartridge, the training barrel comprising: a barrel-shaped memberdefining a substantially cylindrical bore of the training barrel, with aproximal end and a distal end; a solid wall extending transverselyacross the bore of the training barrel and separating the bore into afirst substantially cylindrical cavity extending inward from theproximal end and a second substantially cylindrical cavity extendinginward from the distal end, said first cavity serving as a firingchamber and being adapted to receive the blank cartridge, said firstcavity being sized to prevent chambering of a live round, said wallpreventing forward discharge toward the distal end upon firing of theblank cartridge; and a laser module extending into said second cavity,said laser module emitting the laser signal in response to a mechanicalwave sensed from the firing of the blank cartridge in said first cavity.34. A detachable training barrel that replaces a conventional detachablebarrel of a firearm to convert the firearm into a training device thatemits a laser signal upon firing a blank cartridge, the training barrelcomprising: a barrel-shaped member defining a substantially cylindricalbore of the training barrel, with a proximal end and a distal end; asolid wall extending transversely across the bore of the training barreland separating the bore into a first substantially cylindrical cavityextending inward from the proximal end and a second substantiallycylindrical cavity extending inward from the distal end, said firstcavity serving as a firing chamber and being adapted to receive theblank cartridge, said wall preventing forward discharge toward thedistal end upon firing of the blank cartridge; and a laser moduleextending into said second cavity, said laser module emitting the lasersignal in response to a mechanical wave sensed from the firing of theblank cartridge in said first cavity; wherein the training barrel andthe blank cartridge are color coded to prevent mismatching of cartridgeswith said training barrel.
 35. A detachable training barrel thatreplaces a conventional detachable barrel of a firearm to convert thefirearm into a training device that emits a laser signal upon firing ablank cartridge, the training barrel comprising: a barrel-shaped memberdefining a substantially cylindrical bore of the training barrel, with aproximal end and a distal end; a solid wall extending transverselyacross the bore of the training barrel and separating the bore into afirst substantially cylindrical cavity extending inward from theproximal end and a second substantially cylindrical cavity extendinginward from the distal end, said first cavity serving as a firingchamber and being adapted to receive the blank cartridge, said wallpreventing forward discharge toward the distal end upon firing of theblank cartridge; a laser module extending into said second cavity, saidlaser module emitting the laser signal in response to a mechanical wavesensed from the firing of the blank cartridge in said first cavity; andan ultrasonic transmitter adapted to emit an ultrasonic acoustic signalsimultaneously with the laser signal.
 36. A detachable training barrelthat replaces a conventional detachable barrel of a firearm to convertthe firearm into a training device that emits a laser signal upon firinga blank cartridge, the training barrel comprising: a barrel-shapedmember defining a substantially cylindrical bore of the training barrel,with a proximal end and a distal end; a solid wall extendingtransversely across the bore of the training barrel and separating thebore into a first substantially cylindrical cavity extending inward fromthe proximal end and a second substantially cylindrical cavity extendinginward from the distal end, said first cavity serving as a firingchamber and being adapted to receive the blank cartridge, said wallpreventing forward discharge toward the distal end upon firing of theblank cartridge; and a laser module extending into said second cavity,said laser module emitting the laser signal in response to a mechanicalwave sensed from the firing of the blank cartridge in said first cavity,wherein; in an operational mode, said laser module emits a laser pulsein response to the mechanical wave sensed from the firing of the blankcartridge in said first cavity; and in a boresighting mode, said lasermodule emits a continuous laser beam to permit a direction of emissionof the laser module to be boresighted with a longitudinal centerline ofthe firearm.
 37. A training firearm that fires a blank cartridge andemits a laser signal upon firing of the blank cartridge, said trainingfirearm comprising: a pullable trigger for initiating firing of theblank cartridge; a training barrel having a substantially cylindricalbore with a proximal end and a distal end; a solid wall extendingtransversely across the bore of said training barrel and separating thebore into a first substantially cylindrical cavity extending inward fromthe proximal end and a second substantially cylindrical cavity extendinginward from the distal end, said first cavity serving as a firingchamber and being adapted to receive the blank cartridge, said wallpreventing forward discharge toward the distal end upon firing of theblank cartridge; and a removable laser module extending into said secondcavity, said removable laser module emitting the laser signal inresponse to a mechanical wave sensed from he firing of the blankcartridge in said first cavity.
 38. The training firearm of claim 37,wherein: said training barrel is detachable from said training firearm;and said training firearm accommodates a conventional barrel permittingthe training firearm to fire projectiles.
 39. The training firearm ofclaim 37, wherein holstering of the training firearm with said trainingbarrel is substantially the same as holstering of the training firearmwith said conventional barrel.
 40. The training firearm of claim 37,wherein said removable laser module is substantially cylindrical and isconcentric with said training barrel, such that said laser module emitsthe laser signal along a longitudinal centerline of said trainingbarrel.
 41. The training firearm of claim 37, wherein said removablelaser module lies substantially within said second cavity and protrudesfrom the distal end of said barrelshaped member by no more than 1 cm ina longitudinal direction.
 42. The training firearm of claim 37, whereinsaid removable laser module has a threaded outer surface and said secondcavity has a threaded interior surface adapted to receive the threadedouter surface of said removable laser module.
 43. The training firearmof claim 37, wherein said removable laser module does not protrude fromthe distal end of said barrel-shaped member.
 44. The training firearm ofclaim 37, wherein said removable laser module comprises: a substantiallycylindrical housing insertable into said second cavity; a mechanicalwave sensor disposed within said housing and adapted to produce atrigger signal in response to the mechanical wave produced by firing theblank cartridge in said first cavity; a laser transmitter adapted toemit the laser signal in response to the trigger signal; and a powersource supplying power to said mechanical wave sensor and said lasertransmitter.
 45. The training firearm of claim 37, wherein said firstcavity is sized to prevent chambering of a conventional blank cartridgeor of a live round.
 46. The training firearm of claim 37, wherein thetraining firearm and the blank cartridge are color coded to preventmismatching of cartridges with said training barrel.
 47. The trainingfirearm of claim 37, further comprising: an ultrasonic transmitteradapted to emit an ultrasonic acoustic signal simultaneously with thelaser signal.
 48. The training firearm of claim 37, wherein the lasersignal is a modulated laser pulse, and wherein said training firearmcorresponds to a target adapted to detect the modulated laser pulse. 49.The training firearm of claim 37, wherein the training firearm fires theblank cartridge using one of: powder, compressed air, and carbondioxide.
 50. The training firearm of claim 37, wherein said removablelaser module is held in said second cavity by frictional force betweenan outer surface of said removable laser module and an interior surfaceof said second cavity.
 51. A training firearm that fires a blankcartridge and emits a laser signal upon firing of the blank cartridge,said training firearm comprising: a pullable trigger for initiatingfiring of the blank cartridge; a training barrel having a substantiallycylindrical bore with a proximal end and a distal end; a solid wallextending transversely across the bore of said training barrel andseparating the bore into a first substantially cylindrical cavityextending inward from the proximal end and a second substantiallycylindrical cavity extending inward from the distal end, said firstcavity serving as a firing chamber and being adapted to receive theblank cartridge, said first cavity being sized to prevent chambering ofa live round, said wall preventing forward discharge toward the distalend upon firing of the blank cartridge; and a laser module extendinginto said second cavity, said laser module emitting the laser signal inresponse to a mechanical wave sensed from the firing of the blankcartridge in said first cavity.
 52. A training firearm that fires ablank cartridge and emits a laser signal upon firing of the blankcartridge, said training firearm comprising: a pullable trigger forinitiating firing of the blank cartridge; a training barrel having asubstantially cylindrical bore with a proximal end and a distal end; asolid wall extending transversely across the bore of said trainingbarrel and separating the bore into a first substantially cylindricalcavity extending inward from the proximal end and a second substantiallycylindrical cavity extending inward from the distal end, said firstcavity serving as a firing chamber and being adapted to receive theblank cartridge, said wall preventing forward discharge toward thedistal end upon firing of the blank cartridge; and a laser moduleextending into said second cavity, said laser module emitting the lasersignal in response to a mechanical wave sensed from the firing of theblank cartridge in said first cavity; wherein the training firearm andthe blank cartridge are color coded to prevent mismatching of cartridgeswith said training barrel.
 53. A training firearm that fires a blankcartridge and emits a laser signal upon firing of the blank cartridge,said training firearm comprising: a pullable trigger for initiatingfiring of the blank cartridge; a training barrel having a substantiallycylindrical bore with a proximal end and a distal end; a solid wallextending transversely across the bore of said training barrel andseparating the bore into a first substantially cylindrical cavityextending inward from the proximal end and a second substantiallycylindrical cavity extending inward from the distal end, said firstcavity serving as a firing chamber and being adapted to receive theblank cartridge, said wall preventing forward discharge toward thedistal end upon firing of the blank cartridge; a laser module extendinginto said second cavity, said laser module emitting the laser signal inresponse to a mechanical wave sensed from the firing of the blankcartridge in said first cavity; and an ultrasonic transmitter adapted toemit an ultrasonic acoustic signal simultaneously with the laser signal.54. A training firearm that fires a blank cartridge and emits a lasersignal upon firing of the blank cartridge, said training firearmcomprising: a pullable trigger for initiating firing of the blankcartridge; a training barrel having a substantially cylindrical borewith a proximal end and a distal end; a solid wall extendingtransversely across the bore of said training barrel and separating thebore into a first substantially cylindrical cavity extending inward fromthe proximal end and a second substantially cylindrical cavity extendinginward from the distal end, said first cavity serving as a firingchamber and being adapted to receive the blank cartridge, said wallpreventing forward discharge toward the distal end upon firing of theblank cartridge; and a laser module extending into said second cavityand comprising: a substantially cylindrical housing insertable into saidsecond cavity; a mechanical wave sensor disposed within said housing andadapted to produce a trigger signal in response to a mechanical waveproduced by firing the blank cartridge in said first cavity; a lasertransmitter adapted to emit the laser signal in response to the triggersignal; and a power source supplying power to said mechanical wavesensor and said laser transmitter.
 55. A training firearm that fires ablank cartridge and emits a laser signal upon firing of the blankcartridge, said training firearm comprising: a pullable trigger forinitiating firing of the blank cartridge; a training barrel having asubstantially cylindrical bore with a proximal end and a distal end; asolid wall extending transversely across the bore of said trainingbarrel and separating the bore into a first substantially cylindricalcavity extending inward from the proximal end and a second substantiallycylindrical cavity extending inward from the distal end, said firstcavity serving as a firing chamber and being adapted to receive theblank cartridge, said wall preventing forward discharge toward thedistal end upon firing of the blank cartridge; and a laser moduleextending into said second cavity, said laser module emitting the lasersignal in response to a mechanical wave sensed from the firing of theblank cartridge in said first cavity, wherein; in an operational mode,said laser module emits a laser pulse in response to the mechanical wavesensed from the firing of the blank cartridge in said first cavity; andin a boresighting mode, said laser module emits a continuous laser beamto permit a direction of emission of the laser module to be boresightedwith a longitudinal centerline of the firearm.
 56. A laser firearmsystem for firearm competition or training involving firing a firearmtoward a target without use of projectiles, the system comprising: atraining firearm having a trigger, a barrel and a laser transmittermodule that emits a laser signal in response to a mechanical waveproduced by pulling of the trigger and sensed by the laser transmittermodule; a laser-detecting target adapted to detect the laser signal andproduce a laser detection signal; a processor responsive to the laserdetection signal for generating information indicating a hit location ofthe laser signal on said target; a remotely-located laser-detectingtarget and processor; and a communication network linking said processorto said remotely-located processor.
 57. The system of claim 56, whereinsaid laser-detecting target includes an array of laser light detectorsadapted to detect the laser signal and to produce the laser detectionsignal.
 58. The system of claim 56, wherein said laser transmittermodule emits a modulated laser signal along a longitudinal centerline ofthe barrel in response to the mechanical wave produced by pulling of thetrigger and sensed by said laser-detecting target.
 59. The system ofclaim 58, wherein said laser-detecting target is configured to detectonly laser signals modulated in the manner of said modulated lasersignal.
 60. The system of claim 58, wherein a modulation of themodulated laser signal identifies the training firearm emitting themodulated laser signal.
 61. The system of claim 56, wherein pulling ofthe trigger causes firing of a blank cartridge that produces themechanical wave.
 62. The system of claim 56, wherein said trainingfirearm comprises: a conventional firearm; and a cylindrical lasermodule inserted into a barrel of the conventional firearm.
 63. Thesystem of claim 56, wherein said training firearm comprises a trainingbarrel incapable of firing a projectile.
 64. The system of claim 63,wherein said training barrel is a detachable training barrel thatreplaces a conventional detachable barrel of a firearm to convert thefirearm into a training device that emits a laser signal upon firing ablank cartridge.
 65. The system of claim 64, wherein said trainingbarrel comprises: a barrel-shaped member defining a substantiallycylindrical bore of the training barrel, with a proximal end and adistal end; and a solid wall extending transversely across the bore ofthe training barrel and separating the bore into a first substantiallycylindrical cavity extending inward from the proximal end and a secondsubstantially cylindrical cavity extending inward from the distal end,said first cavity serving as a firing chamber and being adapted toreceive the blank cartridge, said wall preventing forward dischargetoward the distal end upon firing of the blank cartridge, the lasertransmitter module extending into said second cavity and emitting thelaser signal in response to the mechanical wave sensed from the firingof the blank cartridge in said first cavity.
 66. The system of claim 56,wherein said training firearm is incapable of firing a projectile. 67.The system of claim 56, wherein said laser-detecting target is formed inthe shape of a bull's eye.
 68. The system of claim 56, wherein saidlaser-detecting target comprises a plurality of range-scaled targets.69. The system of claim 56, further comprising: an ultrasonictransmitter coupled to said training firearm and adapted to transmit anultrasonic signal simultaneously with the laser signal; an ultrasonicdetector coupled to said laser-detecting target and adapted to detect anarrival time of the ultrasonic signal at said laser-detecting target;wherein said processor determines a distance between said trainingfirearm and said laser-detecting target from a time delay between anarrival time of the laser signal at said laser-detecting target and thearrival time of the ultrasonic signal.
 70. The system of claim 56,wherein said processor determines a center of gravity of a group oflaser signals sequentially detected by the laser-detecting target. 71.The system of claim 56, wherein said communication network includes aserver linked to said first and second processors.
 72. The system ofclaim 56, wherein: said training firearm, said laser-detecting targetand said processor are located at a first site, and saidremotely-located laser-detecting target and processor are located at asecond site; and said communication network includes a user interfacepermitting users at said first site to communicate with users at thesecond site.
 73. The system of claim 72, wherein said user interfacepermits coordination of competition between users at said first site andusers at said second site.
 74. The system of claim 72, wherein said userinterface permits viewing at said first site of target detection resultsfrom said second site.
 75. The system of claim 72, wherein said userinterface includes a web site.
 76. The system of claim 56, wherein saidcommunication network is a global communication network.
 77. A laserfirearm system for firearm competition or training involving firing afirearm toward a target without use of projectiles, the systemcomprising: a training firearm including a trigger, a barrel and a lasertransmitter module that emits a laser signal in response to a mechanicalwave produced by pulling of the trigger and sensed by the lasertransmitter module; a laser-detecting target adapted to detect the lasersignal and produce a laser detection signal: an ultrasonic transmittercoupled to said training firearm and adapted to transmit an ultrasonicsignal simultaneously with the laser signal; an ultrasonic detectorcoupled to said laser-detecting target and adapted to detect an arrivaltime of the ultrasonic signal at said laser-detecting target; and aprocessor coupled to said laser detecting target and said ultrasonicdetector, said processor being responsive to the laser detection signalfor generating information indicating a hit location of the laser signalon said target, and determining a distance between said training firearmand said laser-detecting target from a time delay between an arrivaltime of the laser signal at said laser-detecting target and the arrivaltime of the ultrasonic signal.
 78. The system of claim 77, wherein thesystem prevents cheating caused by locating said training firearmimproperly close to said laser-detecting target by reporting thedistance between said training firearm and said laser-detecting targettogether with the information indicating the hit location.
 79. A laserfirearm system for firearm competition or training involving firing afirearm toward a target without use of projectiles, the systemcomprising: a training firearm including a trigger, a barrel and a lasertransmitter module that emits a laser signal in response to a mechanicalwave produced by pulling of the trigger and sensed by the lasertransmitter module; a laser-detecting target adapted to detect the lasersignal and produce a laser detection signal; and a processor responsiveto the laser detection signal for generating information indicating ahit location of the laser signal on said target, wherein said processordetermines a center of gravity of a group of laser signals sequentiallydetected by the laser light detectors.